What Nut Butters Are Paleo? (2024)

FAQs

What Nut Butters Are Paleo? ›

Nut butters made from cashews, macadamias, hazelnuts, and almonds are all Paleo, but there's a stipulation: they must only contain nuts. If additives, preservatives, or flavorings are included on the label, it isn't Paleo. Pure nut butters are a healthy choice in moderation.

Peanuts are technically legumes, which are not paleo compliant, and that means peanut butter is off limits for paleo eaters. All other nuts and seeds are fair game, so if nuts and seeds are the only ingredients, snack away!

Regular hazelnut butter will still taste great, and it's actually one of the healthy nut butters that's becoming more and more popular. Hazelnuts are the second-richest nut in monounsaturated fat and have anti-inflammatory properties that can help manage blood lipids.

Nuts and seeds such as macadamia nuts, almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, pecans, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds play an important role on the paleo diet. As do healthy fats and oils from fruits or nuts (extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil coconut oil, walnut oil, etc.).

Strict paleo adherents may avoid it due to its dairy origin. However, many who follow a more relaxed paleo meal plan, sometimes referred to as “primal,” may include grass-fed butter or ghee in moderation.

Nut butters made from cashews, macadamias, hazelnuts, and almonds are all Paleo, but there's a stipulation: they must only contain nuts. If additives, preservatives, or flavorings are included on the label, it isn't Paleo. Pure nut butters are a healthy choice in moderation.

Avoid nut butters with added sweeteners such as sugar, corn syrup or molasses. Avoid nut butters with added oils such as hydrogenated vegetable oils.

"Of all the nut butters, walnut butter has the most omega-3 fatty acids," Andrea says. The healthful fat ratio helps lower LDL cholesterol, increase HDL cholesterol, and reduce inflammation.

A strict paleo diet does not allow dairy products because hunter-gatherers did not milk cows. This includes milk, butter, yogurt, sour cream and cheese.

Yes — sweet potatoes are generally considered a paleo-approved food, however, some paleo dieters prefer to limit their consumption to avoid consuming too many carbohydrates that spike their blood sugar levels.

Can you have coffee on paleo? ›

While we have said in the past that coffee is not Paleo, we have changed our position based on new research and now we believe that coffee is fine for most people. It boasts numerous health benefits, like longevity, mental performance, and a healthy gut, and it could be beneficial for many.

There's another reason the Paleo crowd doesn't like beans: lectins – or carbohydrate-binding proteins that plants developed to ward off insect predators. “Lectins can bind with almost any tissue in our bodies and wreak havoc,” writes Loren Cordain, PhD, in his book, The Paleo Diet (John Wiley & Sons, 2002).

If you're Paleo because you're a Crossfitter or you're restoring your gut health, bananas are an excellent part of your diet.

By definition, peanuts are legumes (not nuts) and not Paleo because they are unhealthy to eat. Because of the anti-nutrient properties, cutting peanuts out of your diet is likely your best bet, especially if you struggle with digestive problems, an inflammatory or autoimmune condition.

Popcorn is technically not considered paleo since it's a whole grain. However, most paleo experts agree that it's not a horrible snack to have in moderation, especially when it's prepared fresh and cooked in a healthy fat like coconut oil.

If you're eating any nuts more often than as the occasional garnish, it may be too much. Because all nuts and seeds are high in inflammatory Omega 6s, and low in Omega 3s, they should be considered more of a garnish, rather than a go-to source of daily fat intake.